Mayor Councillor Jeff Bannister will tomorrow tap the first pint to open Hinckley and Bosworth Campaign for Real Ales first beer festival at the Masonic Hall on St Marys Road.

Appropriately, the beer poured will be Joseph Hansom IPA, which has been specially brewed for the festival by Bells of Ullesthorpe. In all there will be 52 ales plus 12 perries and fruit wines.

The festival runs from 11am to 3pm then 5pm to 11pm tomorrow and noon to 11pm on Saturday.

Souvenir glasses will be available and it is hoped the festival will become an annual event which will attract real-ale lovers from all over the country.

Branch member Chris Davies has this advice: A quick look at the Camra website (www.camra.org.uk) will give advice on what to look for when trying real ales. From using your eyes, using your nose right to the taste. So give it a try.

On Tuesday the organising group will be holding its annual general meeting at Ashby Road Sports Club, Hinckley when full branch status will be conferred on it after two years as a sub branch of Leicester.